The CrucibleThe Crucibleby Arthur Millerby Arthur Miller

The StoryThe Story

The story takes place in The story takes place in 1692 during the Salem 1692 during the Salem

Witch TrialsWitch Trials

During this time, Puritans During this time, Puritans believed that any peculiar believed that any peculiar

behavior or defiance behavior or defiance towards society, religion, or towards society, religion, or God, was a direct result of God, was a direct result of

being “moved” by the devil.being “moved” by the devil.

If children misbehaved, If children misbehaved, defied their parents, or defied their parents, or

acted strange, it was only acted strange, it was only because the devil himself because the devil himself

inspired them to do so.inspired them to do so.

Individuals that were Individuals that were accused of being witches accused of being witches

had two options.had two options.

Confess and ask God Confess and ask God for forgivenessfor forgiveness

(even if it wasn’t true).(even if it wasn’t true).

Or deny all accusations and Or deny all accusations and be sentenced to death.be sentenced to death.

Deaths were public events, Deaths were public events, and forms of entertainment.and forms of entertainment.

Puritans did not go to the Puritans did not go to the movies. They went to town movies. They went to town

hangings.hangings.

The youngest child to be The youngest child to be accused was four years old.accused was four years old.

Children weren’t the only Children weren’t the only ones accused.ones accused.

A couple of dogs were A couple of dogs were hanged because they hanged because they wouldn’t stop barking.wouldn’t stop barking.

Now for the confusing part.Now for the confusing part.

If you were accused, sometimes If you were accused, sometimes the town would watch you be the town would watch you be thrown into a lake with heavy thrown into a lake with heavy

weights.weights.

If you were to drown, you If you were to drown, you were not considered a were not considered a

witch.witch.

But you were dead so it But you were dead so it didn’t matter.didn’t matter.

If you managed to stay If you managed to stay above water, that was not above water, that was not

considered natural.considered natural.

Therefore, you would be Therefore, you would be hanged for being a witch.hanged for being a witch.

Either way you were dead.Either way you were dead.

The AuthorThe Author

Arthur Miller wrote Arthur Miller wrote The CrucibleThe Crucible to illustrate that history repeats to illustrate that history repeats

itself.itself.

During the 50’s, Senator During the 50’s, Senator Joseph McCarthy was Joseph McCarthy was

accusing people of being accusing people of being communists.communists.

A lot of famous figures were A lot of famous figures were accused. This includes: accused. This includes:

actors, television actors, television executives, producers, and executives, producers, and other people in Hollywood.other people in Hollywood.

Many people in Hollywood Many people in Hollywood are very liberal. Therefore, are very liberal. Therefore,

they must also be they must also be communists.communists.

In fact, Arthur Miller was put In fact, Arthur Miller was put on trial for being a on trial for being a

communist.communist.

Even President Ronald Even President Ronald Reagan. Reagan.

He was originally an actor. He was originally an actor. Remember?Remember?

People who were accused People who were accused had two options.had two options.

They could apologize for their They could apologize for their actions and confess to being a actions and confess to being a

communistcommunist

(even if it wasn’t true).(even if it wasn’t true).

Or they could be thrown Or they could be thrown in jail.in jail.

Sound familiar?Sound familiar?

Just like the Salem Witch Just like the Salem Witch Trials, the McCarthy era was Trials, the McCarthy era was unfair. Mass hysteria spread, unfair. Mass hysteria spread,

and individuals began to and individuals began to question their integrity.question their integrity.

Do you confess to Do you confess to something you didn’t do, or something you didn’t do, or

do you receive the do you receive the punishment and maintain punishment and maintain

your respect?your respect?

Unfortunately, we didn’t Unfortunately, we didn’t learn from the McCarthy learn from the McCarthy

era. Mass hysteria era. Mass hysteria continues and we still point continues and we still point

our fingers.our fingers.

Remember 9-11?Remember 9-11?

How many innocent people How many innocent people were accused for being a were accused for being a

terrorist just because the color terrorist just because the color of their skin?of their skin?

Remember Columbine?Remember Columbine?

How many innocent How many innocent students were accused of students were accused of bomb threats just because bomb threats just because of the way they dressed?of the way they dressed?

Now the storyNow the story

The story is based on true The story is based on true events, and court events, and court

documents. However, documents. However, some of the story has been some of the story has been

changed for dramatic changed for dramatic effect.effect.

In the story, Abigail Williams In the story, Abigail Williams used to work for John Proctor’s used to work for John Proctor’s

family. She was their maid.family. She was their maid.

In the story, Abigail Williams is In the story, Abigail Williams is portrayed as 18 years old and portrayed as 18 years old and John Proctor is portrayed as a John Proctor is portrayed as a

man in his 30’s.man in his 30’s.

Throughout the script, there Throughout the script, there are several references that are several references that

indicate that these two had an indicate that these two had an affair.affair.

In real life, Abigail was 11 In real life, Abigail was 11 years old, and John Proctor years old, and John Proctor

was in his 60’s.was in his 60’s.

We don’t know if these two We don’t know if these two really participated in an really participated in an

affair. What we do know is affair. What we do know is that in the story, Abigail that in the story, Abigail

Williams wants to be with Williams wants to be with John Proctor.John Proctor.

We also know that John We also know that John Proctor is married with two Proctor is married with two

children.children.

What starts as a story of What starts as a story of teenage love, soon turns teenage love, soon turns into a story of revenge.into a story of revenge.

A story of accusations.A story of accusations.

A story about saving A story about saving yourself.yourself.

Welcome to Welcome to The CrucibleThe Crucible..